Alice Through The Looking Glass, 7: The Lion And The Unicorn

Hello there,

It's Mandy here.

Welcome back to The Weird and Wonderful World of Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The book was written by Lewis Carroll in 1871 and as you may know is a sequel to the hugely popular Alice in Wonderland.

I'm going to be reading chapter to you tonight,

The Lion and the Unicorn.

So please feel free to go ahead and make yourself as comfortable as you can be at this particular moment in time and I'll begin.

Chapter 7,

The Lion and the Unicorn.

The next moment soldiers came running through the wood,

At first in twos and threes,

Then ten or twenty together,

And at last in such crowds that they seemed to fill the whole forest.

Alice got behind a tree for fear of being run over and watched them go by.

She thought that in all her life she'd never seen soldiers so uncertain on their feet.

They were always tripping over something or other and whenever one went down several more always fell over him so the ground was soon covered with little heaps of men.

Then came the horses.

Having four feet these managed rather better than the foot soldiers but even they stumbled now and then and it seemed to be a regular rule that whenever a horse stumbled the rider fell off instantly.

The confusion got worse every moment and Alice was very glad to get out of the wood into an open place where she found the white king seated on the ground busily writing in his memorandum book.

I've sent them all the king cried in a tone of delight on seeing Alice.

Did you happen to meet any soldiers my dear as you came through the wood?

Yes I did said Alice several thousand I should think.

Four thousand two hundred and seven that's the exact number the king said referring to his book.

I couldn't send all the horses you know because two of them are wanted in the game and I haven't sent the two messengers either.

They've both gone to the town just look along the road and tell me if you can see either of them.

I see nobody on the road said Alice.

I only wish I had such eyes the king remarked in a fretful tone to be able to see nobody and at that distance too.

Why it's much as I can do to see real people by this light.

All this was lost on Alice who was still looking intently along the road shading her eyes with one hand.

I see somebody now she exclaimed at last but he's coming very slowly and what curious attitudes he goes into for the messenger kept skipping up and down and wriggling like an eel as he came along with his great hands spread out like fans on either side.

Not at all said the king he's an Anglo-Saxon messenger and those are Anglo-Saxon attitudes.

He only does them when he's happy.

His name is Hayer he pronounced it so as to rhyme with mayor.

I love my love with an h Alice couldn't help beginning because he is happy.

I hate him with an h because he is hideous.

I feed him with with ham sandwiches and hay.

His name is Hayer and he lives.

He lives on the hill the king remarked simply without the least idea that he was joining in the game while Alice was still hesitating for the name of a town beginning with h.

The other messengers called Hatter said the king.

I must have two you know to come and go one to come and one to go.

I beg your pardon said Alice.

It isn't respectable to beg said the king.

I only meant that I didn't understand said Alice.

Why one to come and one to go?

Don't I tell you the king repeated impatiently.

I must have two to fetch and to carry one to fetch and one to carry.

At this moment the messenger arrived he was far too much out of breath to say a word and could only wave his hands about and make the most fearful faces at the poor king.

This young lady loves you with an h the king said introducing Alice in the hope of turning off the messenger's attention from himself but it was of no use.

The Anglo-Saxon attitudes only got more extraordinary every moment while the great eyes rolled wildly from side to side.

You alarm me said the king.

I feel faint give me a ham sandwich on which the messenger to Alice's great amusement opened a bag that hung around his neck and handed a sandwich to the king who devoured it greedily.

Another sandwich said the king.

There's nothing but hay left now the messenger said peering into the bag.

Hay then the king murmured in a faint whisper.

Alice was glad to see that it revived him a good deal.

There's nothing like eating hay when you're faint he remarked to her as he munched away.

I should think throwing cold water over you would be better Alice suggested or some sal volatile.

I didn't say there was nothing better the king replied.

I said there was nothing like it.

Alice did not venture to deny this.

Who did you pass on the road the king went on holding out his hand to the messenger for some more hay.

Nobody said the messenger.

Quite right said the king.

This young lady saw him too.

So of course nobody walks slower than you.

I do my best the messenger said in a sullen tone.

I'm sure nobody walks much faster than I do.

He can't do that said the king or else he'd have been here first.

However now you've got your breath you may tell us what's happened in the town.

I'll whisper it said the messenger putting his hands to his mouth in the shape of a trumpet and stooping so as to get close to the king's ear.

Alice was sorry for this as she wants to hear the news too.

However instead of whispering he simply shouted at the top of his voice.

They're at it again.

Do you call that a whisper cried the poor king jumping up and shaking himself.

If you do such a thing again I'll have you buttered.

It went through and through my head like an earthquake.

It would have to be a very tiny earthquake thought Alice.

Who are at it again she ventured to ask.

Why the lion and the unicorn of course said the king.

Fighting for the crown.

Yes to be sure said the king and the best of the joke is that it's my crown.

Let's run and see them and they trotted off.

Alice repeating to herself as she ran the words of the old song.

The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown.

The lion beat the unicorn all around the town.

Some gave them white bread some gave them brown.

Some gave them plum cake and drummed them out of town.

Does the one that wins get the crown she asked as well as she could for the run was putting her quite out of breath.

Dear me no said the king.

What an idea.

Would you be good enough Alice panted out after running a little further to stop a minute just to get one's breath again.

I'm good enough the king said only I'm not strong enough.

You see a minute goes by so fearfully quick.

You might as well try to stop a bandersnatch.

Alice had no more breath for talking so they trotted on in silence till they came into sight of a great crowd in the middle of which the lion and the unicorn were fighting.

They were in such a cloud of dust that at first Alice could not make out which was which but she soon managed to distinguish the unicorn by his horn.

They placed themselves close to where Hatter the other messenger was standing watching the fight with a cup of tea in one hand and a piece of bread and butter in the other.

He's only just out of prison and he hadn't finished his tea when he was sent in Haya whispered to Alice and they only give them oyster shells in there so you see he's very hungry and thirsty.

How are you dear child he went on putting his arm affectionately around Hatter's neck.

Hatter looked round and nodded and went on with his bread and butter.

Were you happy in prison dear child asked Haya.

Hatter looked round once more and this time a tear or two trickled down his cheek but not a word would he say.

Speak can't you Haya cried impatiently but Hatter only munched away and drank some more tea.

Speak won't you cried the king How are they getting on with the fight?

Hatter made a desperate effort and swallowed a large piece of bread and butter.

They're getting on very well he said in a choking voice.

Each of them has been down about 87 times.

Then I suppose they'll soon bring the white bread and the brown Alice ventured to remark.

It's waiting for him now said Hatter.

This is a bit of it as I'm eating.

There was a pause in the fight just then and the lion and the unicorn sat down panting while the king called out 10 minutes allowed for refreshments.

Haya and Hatter set to work at once carrying round trays of white and brown bread.

Alice took a piece to taste but it was very dry.

I don't think they'll fight anymore today the king said to Hatter.

Go and order the drums to begin and Hatter went bounding away like a grasshopper.

For a minute or two Alice stood silent watching him.

Suddenly she brightened up.

Look look she cried pointing eagerly.

There's the white queen running across the country.

She came flying out of the wood over yonder.

How fast those queens can run.

There's some enemy after her no doubt the king said without even looking round.

That wood's full of them.

But aren't you going to run and help her Alice asked.

Very much surprised at his taking it so quietly.

No use no use said the king.

She runs so fearfully quick.

You might as well try and catch a bandersnatch.

But I'll make a memorandum about her if you like.

She's a dear good creature.

He opened his memorandum book.

Do you spell creature with a double e?

At this moment the unicorn sauntered by them with his hands in his pockets.

I had the best of it this time he said to the king just glancing at him as he passed.

A little a little the king replied rather nervously.

You shouldn't have run him through with your horn you know.

It didn't hurt him the unicorn said carelessly and he was going on when his eye happened to fall upon Alice.

He turned around instantly and stood for some time looking at her with an air of the deepest disgust.

What is this he said at last.

This is a child higher replied eagerly.

Coming in front of Alice to introduce her and spreading out both his hands towards her in an Anglo-Saxon attitude.

We only found it today.

It's as large as life and twice as natural.

I always thought they were fabulous monsters said the unicorn.

Is it alive?

It can talk said higher solemnly.

The unicorn looked dreamily at Alice and said talk child.

Alice couldn't help her lips curling into a smile as she began.

Do you know I always thought unicorns were fabulous monsters too.

I never saw one alive before.

Well now that we have seen each other said the unicorn.

If you'll believe in me I'll believe in you.

Is that a bargain?

Yes if you like said Alice.

Come fetch out the plum cake old man the unicorn went on turning from her to the king.

None of your brown bread for me.

Certainly certainly the king muttered and beckoned to higher.

Open the bag he whispered quick not that one that's full of hay.

Higher took a large cake out of the bag and gave it to Alice to hold while he got out a dish and carving knife.

How they all came out of it Alice couldn't guess.

It was like a conjuring trick.

The lion had joined them while this was going on.

He looked very tired and sleepy and his eyes were half shut.

What's this he said blinking lazily at Alice and speaking in a deep hollow tone that sounded like the tolling of a great bell.

Ah what is it now the unicorn cried eagerly.

You'll never guess I couldn't.

The lion looked at Alice wearily.

Are you animal or vegetable or mineral he said yawning at every other word.

It's a fabulous monster the unicorn cried out before Alice could reply.

Then hand round the plum cake monster the lion said lying down and putting his chin on his paws and sit down both of you to the king and the unicorn.

Fair play with the cake you know.

The king was evidently very uncomfortable at having to sit down between the two great creatures but there was no other place for him.

What a fight we might have for the crown now the unicorn said looking slyly up at the crown which the poor king was nearly shaking off his head he trembled so much.

I should win easy said the lion.

I'm not so sure of that said the unicorn.

Why I beat you all round the town you chicken the lion replied angrily half getting up as he spoke.

Here the king interrupted to prevent the quarrel going on.

He was very nervous and his voice quivered.

All round the town he said that's a good long way did you go by the old bridge or the marketplace you get the best view by the old bridge.

I'm sure I don't know the lion growled out as he lay down again.

There was too much dust to see anything.

What a time the monster is cutting up that cake.

Alice had seated herself on the bank of a little brook with the great dish on her knees and was sawing away diligently with the knife.

It's very provoking she said in reply to the lion.

She was getting quite used to being called the monster.

I've cut several slices already but they always join up again.

You don't know how to manage looking glass cakes the unicorn remarked.

Hand it round first and cut it afterwards.

This sounded like nonsense but Alice very obediently got up and carried the dish round and the cake divided itself into three pieces as she did so.

Now cut it up said the lion as she returned to her place with the empty dish.

I say this isn't fair cried the unicorn as Alice sat with the knife in her hand very much puzzled as how to begin.

The monster has given the lion twice as much for me as me.

She's getting on for herself anyhow said the lion.

Do you like plum cake monster?

But before Alice could answer him the drums began.

Where the noise came from she couldn't make out.

The air seemed full of it and it rang through and through her head till she felt quite deafened.

She started to her feet and sprang across the book in her terror and had just time to see the lion and the unicorn rise to their feet with angry looks at being interrupted in their feast before she dropped to her knees and put her hands over her ears vainly trying to shut out the dreadful uproar.

If that doesn't drum them out of town she thought to herself nothing ever will.

To be continued.